Texans set with No. 1 pick but open to trade, GM Smith says

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The Texans have set their draft board and know who they want with the No. 1 pick. But there’s no guarantee the team’s top-ranked player will become a Texan next Thursday, during the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.

“I don’t know exactly who we will take. What I do know is, I know the order of our board,” general manager Rick Smith said Thursday at Reliant Stadium.

He added: “If we take the first pick, we know who we want.”

A consensus at No. 1 was reached after an “exhausting” evaluation process, Smith said. But the Texans remain engaged in trade discussions and are willing to exchange the selection for additional picks.

“There’s a bunch of options out there for us,” said Smith, who expects talks to increase during the days leading up to round one.

The longtime GM said the organization is highly confident going into the draft. The Texans have tweaked their player evaluation process under new coach Bill O’Brien but the overall system remains the same.

“I don’t feel pressure. … I feel like we’re prepared,” Smith said.

He added: “It’s a unique situation. It was very painful to get here. But now that we have lived it for a while and prepared this way, it’s a very, very advantageous place to be, because it gives us a chance to impact our football team.”

The GM believes there are several positions that reflect the depth of the draft, adding that cornerback and offensive tackle are always areas of need. As always, Smith is seeking “impact” players.

“There’s some good players in this draft,” Smith said. “I like the board. I really do. There’s value throughout the draft.”

Smith acknowledged he is “fascinated” by recent questions about who the Texans will take at No. 1. To the GM, a team’s board is always set leading up to the draft, so 2014 is no different than past years.

“It’s interesting to me that it’s a big deal that we know our board and all of a sudden we know who we want,” Smith said. “Well, I think that’s our job. I think we ought to know that.”

As for trading down, Smith said he hasn’t determined a pick number the Texans aren’t willing to go below next Thursday.

“What I can tell you is that we’re going to do everything we to get this team as good as we can get it and increase the talent on this football team as best we can through next weekend,” Smith said.